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Updates

State budget deliberations continue….which allocates tens of billions of state tax dollars to fund education, environmental programs, economic development and human services.

Programs designed to make homeownership and renting more affordable across Bradford, Lycoming, Sullivan, Susquehanna and Union counties received more than $2.3 million in state investments last week.

My bill, Senate Bill 907, creating a Domestic Animal Welfare Board, will receive a committee vote this week. The Board will be charged with reviewing current laws and regulations and making recommendations to the legislature on animal welfare.

The state Senate approved legislation last week, known as the Fairness in Women’s Sports Act, that protects the integrity of women’s sports.

The state Senate acted to close a loophole that made many senior citizens ineligible for the state Property Tax/Rent Rebate program.

A four-year reconstruction project continues this week on Route 199 in Sayre and Athens, Bradford County. The 2.6-mile project is located .44 miles north of the intersection with Route 1056 (Front Street) in Athens Borough to the intersection with Interstate 17 (Southern Tier Expressway) at the New York state line in Sayre Borough.

Hunters in Pennsylvania can acquire their 2022-23 license with presales today, June 13. Licenses for the 2022-23 license year are valid from July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023.

Senator Yaw Helps Kick-Off 28th Little League International Congress in Williamsport

The 28th Little League International Congress kicked-off this weekend in the birthplace of Little League.  On behalf of the Pennsylvania General Assembly, I presented Senate and House congratulatory citations recognizing Little League International on the 75th anniversary of the Little League Baseball World Series (LLBWS).  READ MORE

Williamsport Area H.S. Sophomore Wins Girls State Wrestling Championship

Marissa Rumsey, a sophomore at Williamsport Area School District visited the State Capitol recently to celebrate her win at the 2022 MyHouse Pennsylvania Girls High School State Championships. This is the highest honor for girls who wrestle in the state. I am glad I had the opportunity to meet Marissa and present her with a Senate citation for her achievement!

Senate Approves Poll Watcher Empowerment Act to Increase Election Oversight, Integrity

The Senate approved the Poll Watcher Empowerment Act to ensure election laws are strictly adhered to and improve confidence in Pennsylvania’s elections.

Senate Bill 573 would allow all registered Pennsylvania voters to be eligible to be a poll watcher in any precinct in the state and ensures poll watchers can clearly observe the pre-canvassing and counting of all ballots.

The bill would stiffen penalties against any election official who blocks, impedes or otherwise intimidates a poll watcher on Election Day. It would not change any duties, powers or responsibilities of poll watchers. Senate Bill 573 was sent to the House of Representatives for consideration.

The bill is the third election integrity measure passed by the Senate this year, along with the elimination of controversial ballot drop boxes and prohibiting third-party funding of elections.

Joint Hearing on Government Data Breach Notification

Legislation requiring timely notification to victims of a state or local government data breach was the topic of a joint Senate/House public hearing.

The Senate Communications and Technology Committee and the House State Government Subcommittee on Government Information Technology and Communication held the gathering to review Senate Bill 696.

The panels heard from representatives of the Department of General Services, the State Privacy and Security Coalition, and the Cybersecurity Association of Pennsylvania. You can view the hearing and read testimony here.

Capitol Rally Aims to Stop Wolf Bridge Tolling Plan

The No P3 Bridge Tolls Coalition was joined by lawmakers at a capitol rally Wednesday to voice opposition to the Wolf administration’s plan to toll interstate bridges in Pennsylvania.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s (PennDOT) plan proposes tolling to pay for bridge projects and has received an overwhelming amount of disapproval, including citizens, members of the General Assembly, local officials and business operators.

PennDOT’s Public-Private Partnership (P3) bridge tolling initiative would cost the average commuter an additional $1,000 per year and was moved through the process without legislative input nor approval.

The Senate passed Senate Bill 382, which reforms the P3 statute and voids PennDOT’s plan. However, Gov. Wolf has stated that he will veto the bill. Commonwealth Court temporarily halted the tolling plan. The Wolf administration has appealed to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

Scammers are Stealing Military Pensions

Pennsylvania veterans and their advocates should be aware of an increase in scammers looking to poach their VA pensions, warns the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA).

“Pension poaching” occurs when scammers or dishonest financial planners charge veterans or their beneficiaries for help in applying for or submitting applications for VA pensions. The scheme often involves financial maneuvers such as advising claimants to hide their assets in trusts or annuity products sometimes resulting in lost investments and lucrative fees paid to the advisor.

The DMVA says veterans and their advocates should remember to never share their VA login information, or deposit VA benefits directly into a third-party bank account unless the person is court appointed or a VA accredited fiduciary. More on avoiding pension poaching, and what to do if you know someone who was targeted, can be found here.

National Fishing and Boating Week

Pennsylvania has multiple settings for fishing and boating, whether you’re an expert or a beginner.

HuntFishPA.com is a good place to start to find out what you need to enjoy angling. The PA Fish and Boat Commission can help you find the best waters for fishing and information on fishing licenses, fishing seasons and more. 

Boating Safety Education Certificates are required to operate a personal watercraft and for persons born on or after Jan. 1, 1982, to operate boats powered by motors greater than 25 horsepower. People who successfully complete an approved boating course are issued a Boating Safety Education Certificate good for a lifetime.

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